Michigan State will face off against Penn State this Saturday at noon in the Bryce Jordan Center, State College, Pennsylvania. With the game set to air on the Big Ten Network and Spartan Sports Network radio, the Spartans come into the matchup with an 8-1 record, maintaining a ranking of No. 9 in both the Associated Press and USA TODAY Coaches poll. They stand at No. 10 in the NCAA’s NET rankings and No. 12 according to Kenpom.com. In contrast, Penn State enters the game at 8-2 but is unranked in the major polls and holds a NET ranking of No. 107.
The betting line favors Michigan State by 12.5 points. Spartans head coach Tom Izzo, in his 31st season, records a notable 744-303 career mark with MSU, while Penn State’s Mike Rhoades, now in his 22nd season, has a record of 413-223. Rhoades is leading a youthful roster that features eight freshmen, striving to develop the team after a significant turnover from last season.
Historically, Michigan State holds a strong advantage over Penn State with a 46-10 lead in their all-time series. The two teams last met in a thrilling encounter, when MSU edged out Penn State with a 90-85 victory at Breslin Center.
As the Spartans prepare for this contest, they’ll look to bounce back from a 66-60 home loss to Duke—their first defeat of the season. It will be crucial for Michigan State to regain momentum, especially with key player Cam Ward returning to practice after recovering from a wrist injury. Known for their elite defensive play, the Spartans rank sixth in defensive efficiency and excel in rebounding, sitting within the top tiers nationally.
On the other hand, Penn State is coming off a disappointing 113-72 loss to Indiana, where they struggled significantly against a high-scoring opponent. The Nittany Lions are aiming to rebound from their early high-major matchups, having lost both encounters against tough competition.
The matchup will hinge largely on MSU’s ability to leverage its defensive strengths against a Penn State offense that is finding its footing. Freshman standout Kayden Mingo and his peers will be essential for Penn State, but MSU’s experienced roster and defensive prowess may prove too much to handle.
If Michigan State demonstrates the same discipline and energy that has characterized their season thus far, they are poised to secure a decisive victory in what promises to be an engaging first true road game of the season. Predicted score: MSU 78, Penn State 66.